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Amazon.co.uk Review
When Inspector Morse first appeared on television in 1987, nobody could have predicted that it would run into the next century, maintaining throughout a quality of scripts and story lines that raised the genre of the detective series to a new level. Much of its success can be attributed to John Thaw's total immersion in the role. Morse is a prickly character and not obviously easy to like. As a detective in Oxford with unfulfilled academic propensities, he is permanently excluded from a world of which he would dearly love to be a part. He is at odds with that world--and with his colleagues in the police force--most of the time. Passionate about opera and "proper beer", he is a cultural snob for whom vulgarity causes almost physical pain. As a result, he lives from one disillusionment to another. And he is scarred--more deeply than he would ever admit--by past relationships. But he also has a naïve streak and, deep-down sensitivity, which makes him a fascinating challenge for women.
At the heart of Morse's professional life is his awkward partnership with Detective Sergeant Lewis, the resolutely ordinary, worldly sidekick who manages to keep his boss in an almost permanent state of exasperation while retaining his grudging respect. It's a testament to Kevin Whateley's consistently excellent performance that from such unpromising material, Lewis becomes as indispensable to the series as Barrington Pheloung's hypnotic, classic theme music. Morse's investigations do occasionally take him abroad to more exotic locations, but throughout 14 successful years of often gruesome murders, the city of Oxford itself became a central character in these brooding two-hour dramas: creator Colin Dexter stating he finally had to kill Morse off because he was giving Oxford a bad reputation as a dangerous place! --Piers Ford
Special Features
4:3
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital Mono English
Dolby Digital Mono
Production Gallery
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital Mono English
Dolby Digital Mono
Production Gallery
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
This DVD is worth 20 stars....
Both the episodes on this disc are fine examples of the Morse series at the peak of its powers. The cerebral brilliance of Morse mixed with his vulnerability, his insight, and his intellectual arrogance - all supremely portrayed by the late great John Thaw, in his finest ever role as the irascible detective.
In both these episodes the relationship between Morse and Lewis is so skillfully portrayed by Thaw and Kevin Whately. Who needs words when a simple glance speaks volumes? The 2 players wonderfully portray the interplay between colleagues of long standing in an acting masterclass.
In Masonic Mysteries Morse is up against his most brilliant adversary, and shows a lack of control unusual for the series - since it doesn't centre around his famous inability to form relationships with the opposite sex. It is full of twists and turns as ever, with a chilling climax. Witenss Morse's interview with the female protagonist near the end of the episode - truly frightening.
Second Time Around is a much more sombre piece - with all the players acting their socks off. Morse remains dignified throughout, apart from one scene in which he is anxious to ensure he is still "in charge" of the case. Even Grout keeps his temper in check as the tragic story elegantly unfolds - and you'll even feel deeply for the plight of the main suspects - a far cry from the usual black and white rubbish we get exposed to.
The one common theme in both these episodes is the sheer quality of all you'll see. No-one makes television programmes like this anymore, more's the pity. I urge you to buy this, take the phone of the hook and just wallow in the experience of it all.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Lets face it, even minor Morse is streets ahead of most British TV. But these two, very different episodes are not minor Morse: they are from mid-way through the series when the programme was at its very best. "Second Time Around", in particular, must rank as one of the top five Morse episodes; the unique relationship between Morse and Lewis is played to perfection by John Thaw and Kevin Whately here. Excellent.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
These two fine episodes epitomise what is the best of Morse.
In Masonic Mysteries, Morse is rehearsing for a part in Mozart's opera The Magic Flute when a lady friend is murdered, and Morse is found at the scene of the crime holding what appears to be the murder weapon. During the initial investigation it soons becomes apparant that someone is out to frame Morse in revenge for another crime which had happened a few years before. The plot intensifies as he is almost killed when his house is set alight by a booby trap cassette tape. Finally, when the mystery is solved, Morse comes face to face with an accomplice of the man who had been trying to kill Morse for sending him to prison a few years previously. This scene between Morse and the woman accomplice is quite disturbing to watch as she reveals her intense hatred of him. A good episode.
Second Time Around is a better episode however, which ends with quite a twist. A Police Chief who has just retired is found dead in his home after what appears to have been a break-in gone terribly wrong. Morse comes across an old colleague from years back (Kenneth Colley) who takes quite an interest in the case for reasons unknown. During Morse's investigations aided by his loyal sidekick, Lewis (Kevin Whately) he discovers elements of the case with links to a missing man, John Mitchell. John Mitchell's family have not seen or heard from him for a number of years, and Mitchell had been a suspect of the murder of a young girl. It all ends in a rather bizarre twist which I wouldnt dream of revealing here.
There are some very good actors in this story. Ann Bell plays the wife of a police officer; a young Christopher Eccleston plays Terence Mitchell a retarded teenager, and Pat Heywood who plays Mrs Mitchell. Look out also for Oliver Ford Davies who acts with John Thaw in Kavanagh QC.
A very good set indeed.
In Masonic Mysteries, Morse is rehearsing for a part in Mozart's opera The Magic Flute when a lady friend is murdered, and Morse is found at the scene of the crime holding what appears to be the murder weapon. During the initial investigation it soons becomes apparant that someone is out to frame Morse in revenge for another crime which had happened a few years before. The plot intensifies as he is almost killed when his house is set alight by a booby trap cassette tape. Finally, when the mystery is solved, Morse comes face to face with an accomplice of the man who had been trying to kill Morse for sending him to prison a few years previously. This scene between Morse and the woman accomplice is quite disturbing to watch as she reveals her intense hatred of him. A good episode.
Second Time Around is a better episode however, which ends with quite a twist. A Police Chief who has just retired is found dead in his home after what appears to have been a break-in gone terribly wrong. Morse comes across an old colleague from years back (Kenneth Colley) who takes quite an interest in the case for reasons unknown. During Morse's investigations aided by his loyal sidekick, Lewis (Kevin Whately) he discovers elements of the case with links to a missing man, John Mitchell. John Mitchell's family have not seen or heard from him for a number of years, and Mitchell had been a suspect of the murder of a young girl. It all ends in a rather bizarre twist which I wouldnt dream of revealing here.
There are some very good actors in this story. Ann Bell plays the wife of a police officer; a young Christopher Eccleston plays Terence Mitchell a retarded teenager, and Pat Heywood who plays Mrs Mitchell. Look out also for Oliver Ford Davies who acts with John Thaw in Kavanagh QC.
A very good set indeed.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Just as I ordered
This DVD arrived well packaged and on time. It was exactly what I had expected and as usual for Inspector Morse kept me guessing until the end.
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. Ann Tearle
Masonic Mysteries
I found it an unusual story, as Morse was not in controlas much as usual. Having an evil character, like De Fries manipulating him was disturbing. Read more
Published on 31 Jan 2006 by Callisto
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